Be an empowering leader in the outdoors

The Outdoor Program Leadership Bachelor of Applied Science degree offers students an administrative perspective of the outdoor recreation service industry that includes learning, training, and assessment of leadership and program management skills.

Be a part of a community

Live in the foothills of the Wind River mountains on the Alpine Science campus.

Experience your expedition

Conduct research in the field as part of your focus on experiential learning. Students in outdoor education, environmental science, expedition science, and cultural resource management work together to explore the unique terrain of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Reach to your highest potential

Enjoy access to world-class terrain and advance your skills in rock climbing, mountain biking, back-country skiing, and snowboarding.

Become sustainable

Be a part of the local food movement! Discover the best practices for small-scale and regenerative agriculture in high-elevation environments.

Live, learn, and play at the foothills of the Wind River Mountains

Nestled along the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River, the ASI sits on 127 acres just outside Sinks Canyon State Park and the Shoshone National Forest. The campus and surrounding area offers stellar rock climbing, mountain biking, fly fishing, and more.

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ALPINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE

In the foothills of the Wind River Mountains, just outside of Sinks Canyon State Park is the Alpine Science Institute. The ASI is a multi-use educational and recreational center designed for students who want to get outside and explore!

The ASI is a living, learning field school for Outdoor Education, Outdoor Recreation, Geospatial Science, Expedition Science, and Regenerative Food Systems. ASI capitalizes on the uniqueness of these academic programs, creating an educational environment that provides hands-on, real-world experience for students. Open to the community, the ASI grounds feature 7 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails and historic apple orchards, in addition to classroom facilities, ½ acre farm, and student housing.

ASI Block Schedule and Learning Strategy

The ASI learning strategy focuses on the integration of field-based skills with outdoor education, environmental science, and geospatial science. To best facilitate this type of learning, students attend classes on an alternate Alpine Science Block Schedule. A four-week block at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters is designed for classes that don’t fit the structure and schedule of a typical college course, allowing faculty and students to capitalize on ideal weather and environmental conditions to conduct fieldwork and other outdoor-related studies. Some of the classes that take place during this block include:

Intro to Outdoor Rock Climbing
Mountain Biking
Wilderness First Responder
Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding
Avalanche Level I

The four-week block is followed by a more traditional 12-week schedule where students complete their classroom-based and general education classes.

ASI Housing and Residential Life

Imagine not just studying, but truly living in the breathtaking foothills of the Wind River Mountains! At the ASI, the student housing experience transcends the ordinary. Here, students come together as a close-knit cohort, embracing the beauty of reflective solitude and thrilling outdoor adventures—all right at their doorstep.

At ASI, students can choose between staying in cabins or our 24-bed residence hall, The Lodge. Meals are a hands-on experience, with students cooking their meals in the spacious kitchen located in Fremont Hall, fully stocked with all the necessary cookware and utensils. Both Fremont Hall and The Lodge offer inviting common areas, featuring large-screen TVs, comfortable couches, a pool table, and ample space to unwind and socialize. And yes—laundry is free!

Students can also take advantage of our extensive outdoor gear collection, including cross-country and backcountry skis, split boards, mountain bikes, and much more. Dedicated storage is also provided for students’ personal equipment, so they can fully immerse themselves in the great outdoors.

ASI Experiential Learning, Research, and Expeditions

Experiential Learning

At the ASI, our students’ classroom experience extends onto the trails and the farm, into our national forests, local farmer’s markets, into the backcountry, and beyond. Experiential learning is an integral part of all of the programs. Students can expect a variety of classes to take place outside where they actively engage in hands-on work and projects as part of their daily coursework. This includes everything from mountain biking and rock climbing, to water quality sampling, to seed starting, transplanting, and produce harvesting.

Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in fieldwork, internships, and practicums courses. These classes allow students to take skills and knowledge they gain in the classroom and apply them to real-world settings. Students work in internships in a variety of fields, including governmental and nonprofit agencies, guiding services, and youth recreation camps. Fieldwork includes projects related to our GeoBridges program in a variety of backcountry settings and practicum courses include work experience in outdoor education and recreation, as well as our Beginning Farm Training and Farm Incubator.

Research

Students at CWC Lander and the Alpine Science Institute have the opportunity to engage in undergraduate research across diverse fields such as geospatial science, environmental science, outdoor recreation, glaciology, climate science, and high-altitude archaeology. During the summer semester, students gather data through expedition and field school courses, which they then analyze throughout the academic year. These research projects culminate in poster presentations at the University of Wyoming’s Undergraduate Research Day.

Expeditions

ASI partners with institutions and agencies across the region, nation and beyond to provide opportunities for students to explore the backcountry while honing their outdoor, leadership and research skills. Our expeditions take students to the summit of Wyoming’s highest mountain, Gannett Peak and throughout the Wind River Range, into Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and along the Continental Divide Trail.